Chapter 3 Conditions and Surveillance

The contract was pushed in front of Emily. She quickly scanned the terms and signed her name.

**Party B: Emily Collins.**

Her elegant, neat handwriting etched onto the white paper, like an indelible brand, a mark that would stay forever.

Emily knew that her contractual relationship with Alexander Remington was now solidified.

A young woman in her prime had now stepped onto a path she had once despised.

Being a mistress-what an ancient and enduring profession.

The contract was straightforward, divided into eight key points:

1. Alexander could call Emily at any time, but Emily could never call him.

2. Emily's phone must remain on 24/7. She had to be available at all times and must come immediately when summoned, regardless of where she was or what she was doing.

3. Outside of these meetings, they were to act as strangers in public, causing no trouble for Alexander.

4. The arrangement would only end when Alexander decided it was over.

5. Alexander would deposit $50,000 into Emily's account every month until their relationship ended.

6. Once the relationship ended, Emily was not to contact Alexander again.

7. During the contract period, Emily must obey Alexander completely. Any defiance would be met with consequences.

8. This last point ensured complete compliance and discretion, emphasizing Emily's subservience and the absolute power Alexander held over her during the contract period.

To Alexander, $50,000 was nothing. In fact, this was the lowest amount he had ever paid to any woman he had been with. He believed Emily was worth no more than this price.

To Emily, however, it was a substantial amount-one that could change her life.

Alexander glanced at the signature at the bottom right corner of the A4 paper. **Emily Collins**-he had just learned her name.

Such a lovely name for such a tainted woman, he thought. What a waste.

Alexander looked at her coldly, much like an executioner allowing a prisoner to speak their final words. "You don't need to think it over?"

"No need. It's fair. I look forward to our cooperation, Mr. Remington," Emily said, extending her hand.

Alexander did not take her hand. Instead, he looked at her with icy disdain.

"Cooperation? I'm not pleased. Ever since you schemed against me, I've been anything but pleased."

Seeing her reminded him that he had always had smooth sailing in life, always surrounded by admirers. Many women wanted to be with him, but no one had ever dared to scheme against him like this.

Emily didn't feel embarrassed. She shrugged and withdrew her hand. "It's almost dawn. Have a good rest, Mr. Remington. Call me anytime. I'll always be available."

Secretary Parker, who had been standing silently behind Alexander, handed Emily a bag. "Miss Collins, here are your clothes."

Emily glanced at the label. She almost whistled-Dior's latest collection dress. She accepted it with a smile. "Thank you."

After taking a shower, Emily changed into the dress Secretary Parker had prepared. Although her body still ached, it was much better now. At least the psychological pain had eased significantly.

She knew she would have to interact with Alexander frequently in the future, and such encounters were inevitable. The pain would become a habit.

The gray sleeveless dress had a slightly low neckline, revealing a hint of delicate, alluring skin, making her complexion look like snow. However, the scars on her chest were glaring, though she acted as if they didn't bother her at all.

Her waistline was gracefully alluring, as slender as a willow in early spring. As she walked, her movements were enough to captivate anyone's soul.

Emily's graceful waistline swayed like the slender willows of early spring, turning heads as she walked down the street.

Alexander Remington cursed internally, wondering why Secretary Parker had chosen such a stunning dress for this woman.

Emily turned back to Alexander with a smile. "Goodbye, Mr. Remington."

"Wait," Alexander called out, stopping her in her tracks.

Emily turned, her skirt creating a beautiful arc. "Is there something else, Mr. Remington?"

Alexander's expression darkened. "One last thing: until our arrangement is over, you are not to have any relationships with other men. If I find out otherwise, this contract will be terminated immediately, and you'll pay back every penny I gave you."

Emily threw him a flirtatious wink. "Rest assured, Mr. Remington. I have some professional ethics."

"Good. I hope you prove to be worth the money."

"Don't worry, I guarantee you'll get your money's worth!"

After Emily left, Alexander's face instantly turned cold. He glanced at Secretary Parker.

"Find out everything about that woman and have her monitored 24/7," Alexander ordered.

Secretary Parker nodded expressionlessly. "Yes, sir. I'll have the information on your desk in an hour."

---

As promised, an hour later, Alexander's desk was covered with documents detailing Emily's entire life, from her childhood to the present, even noting the age at which she lost her first tooth.

The more Alexander read, the deeper his frown grew.

When he reached the part about Emily's mother, Diane, attempting to sell her to a businessman named Mr. King, he recalled Emily's words from that night.

No wonder she had said that if she was going to be sold anyway, she might as well choose someone she found agreeable.

Such a bloody and tearful history would evoke pity in anyone with an ounce of compassion.

But not Alexander Remington. The world was full of people more pitiful than Emily, and he had no cheap sympathy to spare for her.

She dared to scheme against him. The fact that he hadn't retaliated was already the greatest mercy he could offer.

"You can stop the surveillance," Alexander said.

For a moment, Secretary Parker's stoic expression cracked slightly. They had barely begun the 24/7 surveillance, and now Alexander wanted it called off. The inconsistency was baffling.

Still, he nodded calmly. "Yes, sir."

---

Leaving the hotel, Emily felt as if all her strength had been drained. She hailed a taxi and headed back to her small rented apartment.

Entering the dark room, she felt the last of her energy ebb away. She stumbled to the bed and sat down.

Fumbling through her bag, she took out the morning-after pill she had prepared and swallowed it dry, the pill scraping painfully down her throat, its bitterness making her want to vomit. But in the darkness, Emily smiled. Feeling pain, tasting bitterness-it meant she was still alive. Those who hadn't faced death wouldn't understand that sometimes, pain and bitterness could be a form of happiness.

Emily didn't even bother to undress, collapsing onto the bed and falling into a deep sleep.

As dawn approached, her body began to tremble. Her hands clutched the bedsheets tightly, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. Her face contorted in pain, and she mumbled incoherently in her sleep.

---

Emily awoke to the faint light of morning filtering through the thin curtains. Her body ached all over, a reminder of the previous night's events. She sat up slowly, trying to gather her thoughts and muster the strength to face the day.

She had taken a significant step towards securing her future, but the cost was higher than she had anticipated. The physical pain was manageable, but the emotional toll was far more challenging.

Emily knew she had to stay strong. Her life had been irrevocably altered, and she had to navigate this new reality with caution and determination. She couldn't afford to let her guard down, not even for a moment.

---

Back at the Remington estate, Alexander sat in his study, the information about Emily still spread out before him. He couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his chest. Despite his initial disdain, there was something about Emily that intrigued him, something he couldn't quite define.

He closed the folder and leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. Emily Collins was a mystery, one he intended to unravel. But for now, he had to maintain control and ensure that their arrangement went according to his terms.

As the day progressed, Alexander couldn't help but wonder if he had underestimated Emily. She was more resilient than he had expected, and that resilience might pose a greater challenge than he had anticipated.

But Alexander Remington was not a man to back down from a challenge. He would see this through to the end, no matter what it took.

Meanwhile, Emily prepared herself for the battles ahead, knowing that her future depended on her ability to navigate the treacherous waters she had willingly entered. The game had only just begun, and both players were ready to fight to the finish.